Viewing page 124 of 239

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Office Asst Supt B.R.F.&A.L
4th D Va Louisa Co. Court House Va
February 28/66

Capt. James Ashworth V.R.C

Forwards report of condition of Bureau affairs in his Sub-district during the month of February 

Office Supt. 4th Dist Va
Gordonsville Feb 27 1866

Respectfully forwarded to Col. O Brown Asst Comr, for Va
T. Frank P Crandon 
Capt. & A.Q.M & Supt

126

Reports in brief as follows. The Bureau affairs are in a very unsatisfactory condition. Only 1/3 of negroes have been recompensed for last years labors. The other 2/3 are intimidated by the whites from asking the assistance of the Bureau. Consequence is crimes of theft - robbery - barn-burning &c are very common generally done by the Freedman. States that the absence of all military assistance renders him powerless to protect himself from insult and to punish properly whites for outrages upon freedmen. It is easy to punish a negro for he there has the assistance of the whites. but he can not punish the whites because the negroes are powerless to help him. Thinks he has been set to making bricks without straw. Very few contracts are being made because the terms $5.00 per month, payable at the end of the year, forfeited

[[stamp]] STATE OF VIRGINIA. BUREAU OF R. F. & A. L. *** RECD. HD. QRS. ASST. COMMISSIONER. MAR 1 1866 [[stamp]]